GUILTY BUT INSANE?: THE CASE OF JOHN HINCKLEY

On March 30th, 1981, John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan using a .22 caliber revolver. As a result, he wounded Reagan, Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy, police officer Thomas Delahanty, and White House Press Secretary James Brady (who was left permanently disabled and died in 2014 from his gunshot injuries). Hinckley did so to grab the attention of Jodie Foster from the film Taxi Driver. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and placed into psychiatric care. I argue that Hinkley should be found guilty but insane under the retributive theory of punishment. After discussing Hinckley’s background leading up to the attempted assassination of Reagan, I explain two ethical theories of punishment (utilitarianism and retributivism). Then, I address how they would rule in Hinckley’s case. Lastly, I will defend the retributive theory, and argue that it would support a guilty but insane verdict.